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So my Fiance just landed a job in Simsbury and we've been running up to CT to check out rentals. Since he will be working very long hours we've been trying to find a place that would be an easy commute. It would be nice if he could come home for lunch and relax for at least a little bit each day. We've looked at soooo many rentals but with our budget, small dog and radius, our choices are limited. Now we're running out of time and need to pick a place.
At this point we're trying to decide between a townhouse in Simsbury at the Tower View Condominiums and a townhouse in Bloomfield at Prospect Park. Anybody familiar with these places?
Both are about the same age and in similar condition. The Bloomfield unit is hands down much larger with more storage and it's an end unit. The exterior is more weathered looking though and the complex is a bit tightly spaced. I think the Simsbury unit's best feature is that it's very close to his job but his entire commute will be on Rt 10 which we hear crawls during rush hour. MapQuest claims it's a 6 min drive but in traffic? Bloomfield is supposedly a 13min drive primarily on Rt 185, what is the traffic like on that road?
Also, we're a tad concerned with the neighborhood in Bloomfield. The town center wasn't as nice as Simsbury but it is closer to Rt84 and we saw a lot more stores on the way to and from the highway so we're not limited to just the Bloomfield center. We hear Simsbury is very safe but is Bloomfield? We also hear Simsbury is so safe because it's so remote and from what we saw we're concerned it might be too rural for us. We're escaping the crowds of NJ but I think Simsbury might be too far on the other side of the scale.
Whichever place we go with we'll probably stay there for 1 or 2 years until we learn the area and feel secure about his job, before buying. So if you knew it was only temporary would that alter your choice?
Lastly, I am 4 months pregnant. It is a high risk pregnancy due to some health issues I have, issues they said would prevent me from getting pregnant, OOPS haha! So I would really appreciate any recommendations for the best hospital for labor & delivery as well as any top notch Obstetricians. I don't have insurance and probably won't be able to get his work insurance since we won't be officially married until January and also since I'm already pregnant. I am in contact with someone from Charter Oak and it seems like I should be able to get insurance through that, not sure if that will affect what Doctors/Hospitals I can go to.
As far as hospitals go, I would think UCONN Health Center in Farmington, CT would be your best bet for delivery. They do high-risk deliveries, and I know a few people who have given birth at that hospital and had good things to say.
As far as towns go Simsbury is much more desirable then Bloomfield, which I'm sure you could tell by driving around. If you don't currently have children and dont need good public schools for the time you will be living there, then I would say either choice would be fine. Simsbury is a bit removed from highways, so it will take longer to get most places like malls etc. However, it is a nice town.
As far as towns go Simsbury is much more desirable then Bloomfield, which I'm sure you could tell by driving around. If you don't currently have children and dont need good public schools for the time you will be living there, then I would say either choice would be fine. Simsbury is a bit removed from highways, so it will take longer to get most places like malls etc. However, it is a nice town.
You really find Bloomfield to be that undesireable? I totally agree the schools are bad and should be avoided if the OP has children and looking for good public education. But there's lots of parts of town that are really nice - not in the Blue Hills area obviously, but there are nice spots. I take Route 189 to get to work everyday, and it's a gorgeous ride. There's nothing here to fear. Same thing with 185. Definitely worth a drive if you're ever interested in some nice scenery I know this may sound a bit biased, but still...
That being said, Simsbury is great and IMO nicer overall in compared to Bloomfield as far as amenities, schools, quality of life, etc. It's a bit removed as KH said since there's no highway access here (though that's exactly what many residents there like about it.) I have friends who have rented out Tower View condos where you're looking. They're nice - maybe not all new and modern but still nice. And Simsbury center is about 2 miles away.
Last edited by MikefromCT; 10-13-2011 at 10:29 AM..
Cheeky1178 - I sent you a Direct Message. The best hospital in the area is Hartford particularly for maternity. As for places to live, Simsbury is beautiful. Bloomfield is a nice middle class town but you are right it is not upscale but you will get more for your money there. The only problem is that your fiance will have to travel over Avon or Talcott Mountain which can be difficult in the winter. I always recommend living as close to your job as possible especially when you have small children or are expecting. As for traffic on Route 10, it is not that bad even during rush hour. Simsbury is a great town. I think you will like it there. Jay
Thanks everyone for your responses! I think the Bloomfield townhouse is going to win for now just because we'd have so much more space. It's just for a year or so until we either move for another job or buy something in another town.
You could also do Farmington. Not far from Simsbury, close to the highway and lots of conveniences. An easy drive to West Hartford. I'd definitely do Farmington over Bloomfield.
Bloomfield not okay for schools, but you won't need that for awhile yet. If Bloomfield is cheaper, you can definitely live there for a few years. Just don't buy there. Plan on giving birth at Hartford Hospital - if the baby needs special care, their newborn ICU is run by the children's hospital, so you have access to all the pediatric specialists. I have seen and heard about nightmares where the other hospitals (with high level newborn ICUs) held onto sick newborns who really needed to be at the children's hospital ICU, because they didn't want to give up the revenue. You can easily get onto Medicaid as a pregnant woman - it will likely be free for you, and most OBs take it, because Medicaid pays nearly as much for a pregnancy and delivery as the private insurers do. Application is available on line - look up HUSKY health insurance in Connecticut.
Oh, by the way, if you just go to the courthouse and get married, you can be on his insurance from the start, since he's a new hire, and there wouldn't be any exclusion for the pregnancy. Just have the religious ceremony and the big party in January. Get married now! If he, heaven forbid, dies before the wedding, you won't get Social Security survivor benefits unless you're married to him, even if you're about to give birth to his child. Marriage helps protect you legally and financially, should something happen to him.
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I totally agree the schools are bad and should be avoided if the OP has children and looking for good public education. But there's lots of parts of town that are really nice - not in the Blue Hills area obviously, but there are nice spots. I take Route 189 to get to work everyday, and it's a gorgeous ride. There's nothing here to fear. Same thing with 185. Definitely worth a drive if you're ever interested in some nice scenery I know this may sound a bit biased, but still... 
